TX-37LZD800 / TX-37LZD80 / TH-37PX80

[bf1]

Ok, so the first two models are LCD and due for release early April. The third is a Plasma set which currently sells for about £700.

The LZD800 is quoted as being approx £1200 and the LZD80 about £950. Why so much more expensive than the Plasma? The 800 will have more features but what about the LZD 80 surely the Plasma is the more superior?

 

[Clare Newsome]

Because in Panasonic-world, 'Z' denotes a Full HD spec TV, while 'X' is HD Ready - both the LCDs are therefore higher-resolution and higher-priced than the plasma (though not necessarily superior in performance, if last year's options are indicative...)

 

[bf1]

Thanks Clare.

That being the case, and if it proves the same this year, I wondered what extras the new sets might provide to justify such an increase.

Any ideas when these will be tested?

Also, on another subject, I saw one of your posts re rumours of price reductions on Sky HD. Is there any info as to when / if this will be?

 

[Clare Newsome]

New TV models are starting to arrive on an almost daily basis - latest update on what we've got from Pana here, plus our May issue (out on Thursday) has overview of what's happening when with all the major brands.

Re Sky HD - i've just heard from a couple of sources that the £10/month fee might be dropped, and/or the price of the box dropped (some retailers have already had very good box deals recently...£99 at Currys,for example).

As soon as we get any firm confirmation, we'll let you know. Personally I don't think we'll get any official word until Freesat starts making noises....

 

[bf1]

£99 would be a good deal but I bet its only valid for new customers and not existing customers that have been with them for years!

 

[Clare Newsome]

Some haggling is always worth it, as discussed in the recent Virgin Media thread.

 

[Anonymous]

What exactly are you going to watch on your TV?

If it is sport, I would go straight for the Plasma. If it is mostly SD I would also go straight for the plasma. In fact, unless you are going to buy a blue ray machine I would not bother with full HD for screens of this size.

So Plasma HD ready it is then!

 

[Anonymous]

Re: TV's - As mentioned elsewhere here, I have just bought the TH37PX80 and it rocks in a hugely satisfying way.

Re: Sky HD - In used to work for Sky (based in Isleworth as part of the marketing function) and I would be amazed if the £10 per month subscription is waived. The box may go free, yes, but the subscription will stay for some time I fear. I dearly hope that I am wrong as I would love to upgrade to Sky HD, but I know what area of the market Sky like to play and also how they view themselves and their market position...... They know they have a great product and they know EXACTLY how much we as consumers are prepared to pay

Here's hoping though...!

 

[Anonymous]

Well, I have been a Sky customer for over 15 years, and I have no intention of paying their £10 per month fee for HD. So they don't get it right all the time.

 

[bf1]

[quote user="Very Annoyed"]
What exactly are you going to watch on your TV?

If it is sport, I would go straight for the Plasma. If it is mostly SD I would also go straight for the plasma. In fact, unless you are going to buy a blue ray machine I would not bother with full HD for screens of this size.

So Plasma HD ready it is then!

[/quote]

I will watch the football and intend to get a PS3 for the games and also to utilise the Blu-Ray player.

Im not big on films but I do like the intense graphics that are now achievable so it may make be more inclined to catch up with the modern world and watch what most normal people watch instead of the Carry On films / Minder / The Sweeney / Porridge etc.!

 

[Anonymous]

If you like to watch football, then I would get the Plasma end of story. LCD does not come near for fast moving action.

 

[bf1]

[quote user="Very Annoyed"]
Well, I have been a Sky customer for over 15 years, and I have no intention of paying their £10 per month fee for HD. So they don't get it right all the time.

[/quote]

Ive been with them for approx 20 years when it was £5.99 per month for EVERYTHING!

I do find it absolutely amazing that every box I have ever had always develops some fault of other and does shortly after the warranty expires!

If they reduced their prices it could well entice more people to sign up.

 

[Anonymous]

Yeah, I agree with both comments above. Just to clarify: 1) I'm not willing to pay an extra £10 per month either. I'm not defending Sky at all, just pointing out a simple premise: Sky view their product as a premium service. As such, they will never compete on price - but always on quality. 2) I would defo sign up if they waived the subscription. But why would they do that? They have nothing to gain at all. It would devalue their product AND reduce their revenue stream. Commercial suicide. Hence my assertion above that they may waive the cost of the HD box OR reduce the monthly HD subscription but they will never do both.

 

[Anonymous]

[quote user="MikeTheGeek"]Yeah, I agree with both comments above. Just to clarify: 1) I'm not willing to pay an extra £10 per month either. I'm not defending Sky at all, just pointing out a simple premise: Sky view their product as a premium service. As such, they will never compete on price - but always on quality. 2) I would defo sign up if they waived the subscription. But why would they do that? They have nothing to gain at all. It would devalue their product AND reduce their revenue stream. Commercial suicide. Hence my assertion above that they may waive the cost of the HD box OR reduce the monthly HD subscription but they will never do both.[/quote]

I am not sure about that, the more people who see HD the more might sign up for Sky who don't already. I also remember the days of £5.99 per month (the good old days) I guess it has all gone into the pockets of the greedy footballers.

In fact, I am almost at the point of cancelling my subscription because it is getting to the stage where I think, is it worth it to watch football, when the 2 richest clubs always finish first and second?

 

[Anonymous]

Don't forget Sky+ used to cost £10p/m extra but they dropped that, so hopefully Sky HD will go the same way

 

[Anonymous]

Yes, good point. I hope you're right

 

[bf1]

[quote user="MikeTheGeek"]Re: TV's - As mentioned elsewhere here, I have just bought the TH37PX80 and it rocks in a hugely satisfying way.

Re: Sky HD - In used to work for Sky (based in Isleworth as part of the marketing function) and I would be amazed if the £10 per month subscription is waived. The box may go free, yes, but the subscription will stay for some time I fear. I dearly hope that I am wrong as I would love to upgrade to Sky HD, but I know what area of the market Sky like to play and also how they view themselves and their market position...... They know they have a great product and they know EXACTLY how much we as consumers are prepared to pay

Here's hoping though...![/quote]

I spoke with Sky this afternoon to establish the cost of upgrading to Sky HD. Without any prompt by me the guy I spoke with said that the monthly HD sub fee is rumoured to be scrapped.

Then again, he may just be a reader of this forum and his info no more substantiated then that!

 

[Anonymous]

Well, I would be absolutley over the moon if they waived the subscription fee. As a new customer I think you can drive them down to about £80 for the HD box. I've just cancelled my Sky subscription as the football season is coming to end, so come Aug/Sept when the season starts again I will be classed as a 'new customer' and hence qualify for the best deal on the new FREE HD! lol

(Doesn't it suck that new customers get the best deals? I've been a customer of Sky for donkey's years -I must've paid them thousands of pounds- yet some Johnny come lately who has paid them nothing is entitled to a better deal than me............ )

 

[tvmog]

[quote user="bf1"]

[quote user="MikeTheGeek"]Re: TV's - As mentioned elsewhere here, I have just bought the TH37PX80 and it rocks in a hugely satisfying way. Re: Sky HD - In used to work for Sky (based in Isleworth as part of the marketing function) and I would be amazed if the £10 per month subscription is waived. The box may go free, yes, but the subscription will stay for some time I fear. I dearly hope that I am wrong as I would love to upgrade to Sky HD, but I know what area of the market Sky like to play and also how they view themselves and their market position...... They know they have a great product and they know EXACTLY how much we as consumers are prepared to pay Here's hoping though...![/quote]

I spoke with Sky this afternoon to establish the cost of upgrading to Sky HD. Without any prompt by me the guy I spoke with said that the monthly HD sub fee is rumoured to be scrapped.

Then again, he may just be a reader of this forum and his info no more substantiated then that!

[/quote]

I also spoke to them yesterday about upgrading but there was no mention of the fee being scrapped. However they were struggling to get their heads round the fact that my dish is rented so it would not be the normal standard upgrade process. Although if I was a SD subscriber I might be a bit peeved to know that I was subsidising the provision of a higher quality service to those people who can afford the more expensive recieving and viewing equipment. A price cut all round would be my solution (dream on).

 

[Anonymous]

Hello, I've decided on a Panasonic 37" LCD based on size, viewing distance, quality... (i think!)

Anyway I had narrowed my choice down to the TX-37LZD80. Then of course I see there is a TX-37LZD85 which I presume is better than the 80...?

And then I read about the Panasonic TX-37LZD800...

So my question is any info/advice on the difference between TX-37LZD85 and TX-37LZD800?

I read about the 100hz processor which I think SONY do too?

I've seen the 80 series in store and it does pretty well on non-HD channels.

What will I be watching? To begin, mostly regular Sky+. So it's important for me to at least get a 'decent' (as we know there really isn't anything decent for SD TV other than the good old CRT's) picture on regular Sky until I eventually upgrade to SkyHD and of course Blue Ray.

Any advice welcome....

 

[Anonymous]

Well mate I have the 800 preordered on play seems like a good telly and so far it is their flagship lcd at 37", I too am hoping for a proper review before 6/5/08 as I am also eyeing the 42" plasma in the 85 range

 

[Anonymous]

I just set eyes on the LZD800.

Fine tv. Very fine.

Copes with SD and HD very well. Very impressed.

Better than most of the plasmas I looked at.

OK one thing was the colours seemed more natural on plasmas but the motion, images were shaper and clearer on the LZD800.

I did, however... look at the 42" PZ85 plasma. Nice tv too. I think it was the bigger screen that lured me. Technically in my opinion it's not as sharp or clear as the LCD. But it does cope pretty well on DTT (in the store). It's a good tv too.

Need another look tomorrow before making a decision.

Good luck.

 

[Anonymous]

I moved away from the 42" plasma for the reasons you mentioned about the lcd, I think you will do the same.

 

[Anonymous]

Hello. I was wondering whether What Hi Fi have had a chance to review the TX-37LZD800 television? I have been buying the magazine regularly but haven't seen it reviewed yet.

I am bit stumped on which 37 inch television to buy. I don't mind either LCD or Plasma. In reality I just want the best picture quality for watching Sky (which would mostly be in standard def, with the odd HD film from SkyHD). I was originally looking at a 32 inch set and the TX32LXD700 seemed to have a substantially better picture than most other screens we saw. Is the TX-37LZD800 of comparable picture quality?

Your expert thoughts and opinions welcomed!

 

[Anonymous]

Nice thread!

After spending big time reading reviews, reading and reading user feedback, Panasonic was the way to go. I'm also looking in the 37" range, and truly uncertain in what to get. I've passed trought all, starting with 32" Sony's(V, W) ending in 37" Samsung's(5, 6 series)

37PX80 is without evidence the best bang for the buck. I haven't got this model yet since I want a more future proof set. Currently have a x360, but in time I'm getting some blu-ray player(PS3 maybe). Gaming, movies, tv are the major uses I give to a Tv.

Regarding games, I'm going to play at close distance, about 5/7 feet..this is the main issue I'm thinking on getting a 1080p tv. If I played a bit far away, at this time I guess I already had a PX80

To me, choosing the LZD800 could be a bad choice. I have a close window and don't know how the glossy screen would behave..On the other hand the LZD80 seems very good as it get's that limit price. I believe I'd take apart the LZD85 since from what I've been reading, everyone is turning off the 100hz function! Paying more like, 400? to a feature that "doesn't" do it's job, it's a bit odd.

Cheers!